The theme of this year�s �Green Hotelier and Restaurateur of the Year� award was chosen to coincide with the meeting in April of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD), which focused for the first time on the travel and tourism sector.  The Commission debated the industry�s efforts to implement Agenda 21, the blueprint for environmental action adopted by 182 governments at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992.  Entries for the award were invited from hotel and restaurant operators who could demonstrate how they were promoting sustainable development of the industry, while conserving the natural and cultural resources on which tourism depends. 

The winner in the corporate category was Harinakshi Desai, Environment Officer at the Orchid Hotel in Mumbai, India, part of Kamat Hotels India Ltd.  The IH&RA Independent Green Hotelier of the Year title went to Richard Evanson, owner and managing director of Turtle Island in Fiji. 

The winners each received $2,500, a certificate and a trophy from IH&RA president Dr. Osmane Aïdi and Michael Edwards, VP client management at American Express Establishment Services Group in London. 

A record 82 entries were received for the award.  Said Michael Nowlis, IH&RA CEO, �The overwhelming response and quality of applications is testimony to the growing sense of responsibility within the hospitality sector to ensure that it develops in a sustainable way, in harmony with the environment.�  The award was judged by representatives of the International Hotel Environment Initiative.  In Durban to present her report was Karen Fletcher, IHEI director. « Each entry was assessed on the basis of efforts to benchmark, measure and monitor environmental performance, and in terms of the economic and environmental contribution of the hotel to the local community" she said. 

In addition to the winners, a number of properties excelled in the eyes of the judges.  Commended for their work in the community were Tony Adams, director of the Phinda Game Reserve in South Africa, and Albert Chin Kion Teo, Managing Director of the Sukau Rainforest Lodge in Malaysia.  Horacio Dizon, executive housekeeper and Claude Delepine, chief engineer at the Radisson SAS Brussels, and Lee Baharrudin, chief engineer at the Inter-Continental Singapore were recognised for their efforts to benchmark their performance. 
 

The Turtle Island Resort Fiji

Turtle Island, a five-star resort located in the remote Yasawa Islands in Fiji, is a prime example of how environmental and cultural sustainability can be integrated into a high quality tourist operation.  A key component of Turtle Island�s environmental project is its dedication to continually monitoring its progress in accordance with international best practice.  The resort commissioned both an environmental audit and a cultural audit to evaluate its sustainability efforts.  Not only has the environmental audit created a baseline to which staff and management can now refer, but it also acts as the island�s benchmark for assessment of any project that impacts the environment.

Harinakshi Desai�s environmental programme at the Orchid Hotel in Mumbai aims to "enhance the guest experience and set a new standard of environmental responsibility by conserving natural resources, educating, enlightening and motivating staff, and cultivating community relationships".  According to Desai, sustainable development has been the watchword in designing, constructing and operating the Orchid Hotel. 

To monitor progress, a detailed environmental report is drawn up on a monthly basis.  In addition, an environmental purchasing programme ensures the purchase of locally manufactured products.  Many of the innovative items in guest rooms � coat-hangers made from sawdust, tissue boxes and reed slippers - are made from recycled materials and sourced from local suppliers. 

The Orchid staff are involved in numerous community works, and have formed partnerships with local schools and colleges to educate them on the hotel and convey its environmental message.  The Orchid has also spearheaded the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai�s Advanced Locality Management programme, which encourages residents to be responsible for cleaning and maintaining the area in which they live. 

Specific environmental actions were developed in response to three major challenges facing the city : air pollution, solid waste management and water management.  They include ensuring hotel vehicles and cars rented out at the travel desk run on lead-free fuel, reducing the use of plastic bags, and optimising water consumption. 
 

Orchid Hotel Green Rooms We make every effort to ensure that our guests enjoy a healthy and comfortable stay. To this end, we use  imported anti-allergy and odour free Carpets.  In keeping with our Environmental commitment, every room is a �green room�. We have brought down the use of wood, paper and plastic to a bare  minimum.   In house paper and plastic shopping bags have been replaced by cloth bags.  News-papers and laundry are delivered in cane baskets.  All closet hangers are made from pressed particle boards while the pens and pencils are made out of recycled cardboard, reprocessed plastic and scrap wood.  All stationary is either handmade or made from recycled paper.  Guests are provided with hand-crafted, rubber-soled reed slippers for use in the room.  Use of cut flowers has been totally eliminated from guest rooms and replaced with healthy potted plants.  Each room has a �recycle bin� in addition to the waste bin, so that involved guests can deposit recyclable material for reuse.

THE ORCHID HOTEL Nehru Rd., Vile Parle (E)  Mumbai   The �Eco-button� on the bed-side panel, is part of our �GUEST PARTICIPATION PROGRAMME� .  When a guest voluntarily presses this button, the thermostat of the room�s airconditioning unit is stepped up by 2oC.  The resultant savings in electricity are translated into rupee terms by a central computer, displayed on the guest profile and folio and a certificate issued to the guest.  The Hotel has introduced the key card system wherein the lights and AC are activated only as the Guest�s card is inserted into the Energy Saving Device. The system also ensures that the room automatically goes into the �power down� mode when the guest leaves.  All the materials and systems used in constructing and running The Orchid are eco-friendly.

�No industry has a greater stake in safeguarding environmental and cultural resources than travel and tourism,� said Michael Edwards, vice-president, head of client management for American Express Europe Ltd.  �American Express is committed to initiatives that help the industry develop in a sustainable way, ensuring the continuation of these resources for future generations.� 

The International Hotel & Restaurant Association (IH&RA) is a global network representing over 750,000 hospitality operators, associations and suppliers in more than 150 countries.  Its mission is to protect, promote and inform the hospitality industry, which it estimates to comprise over 300,000 hotels and 8 million restaurants world-wide, employ 60 million people and contribute US$950 billion to the global economy. 

American Express is a diversified worldwide travel and financial services company, founded in 1850.  It is a leader in charge and credit cards, travellers cheques, financial planning, investment products, insurance services and international banking. 

IHEI is a network of hotel companies that recognise that environmental responsibility is essential to successful business practice.  IHEI is a programme of The Prince of Wales Business Leaders Forum (PWBLF), founded and headed by HRH The Prince of Wales.  IHEI International Council members include: Accor, Bass Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Forte, Hilton International, Marco Polo Hotels, Marriott International, Radisson SAS Hotels Worldwide, Scandic Hotels, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, The Taj Group of Hotels, and TUI Touristik Union International GmbH & KG.  American Express is a founding corporate partner of IHEI.